Friday 16 March 2018

A multimillion-dollar investment in better train services for passengers in Victoria’s east can now rail ramp up with the Andrews Labor Government’s receipt of funding for the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival program.

Work on the Gippsland line officially started earlier this week, with geotech beginning on the replacement of the Avon River Bridge.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today announced work would now be able to ramp up on the Gippsland Line Upgrade to deliver more frequent and reliable train services that will benefit thousands of passengers each day.

The Gippsland Line Upgrade will enable much needed extra services on the Gippsland line and allow VLocity trains to run to Bairnsdale for the first time.

It will also boost safety for motorists and train passengers, with level crossing upgrades and improved train detection between Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

The relocation of Traralgon stabling facilities will house more trains, allowing extra services and a 10km/h speed restriction will be removed following the replacement of the Avon River bridge.

Other upgrades include track duplication to untangle notorious bottlenecks and building additional platforms at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon – to deliver more reliable and frequent train services.

More than 400 jobs will be created as part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade and a local site office will be set up in the Latrobe Valley, providing huge benefits for the region’s economy.

Geotechnical investigations have begun with crews to drilling around 50 boreholes and 120 test pits along the Gippsland line to understand ground conditions and soil quality. This critical work will inform the design and construction of the project ahead of major work.

The $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival program will create more than 1,000 jobs across the state, boost local economies and deliver opportunities for suppliers.

It will also develop industry skills and ensure local content through the Andrews Labor Government’s Local Jobs First – Victorian Industry Participation Policy.

At least 10 per cent of the program’s total work will be completed by apprentices, trainees or engineering cadets, as part of the Major Project Skills Guarantee.

In addition to Regional Rail Revival works, the Labor Government has invested in passenger services in the state’s east, with 28 new train services added since 2015, new VLocity carriages to boost capacity on the busiest services and a $9 million upgrade to add car parking spaces and improve safety and facilities at Moe, Morwell, Traralgon and Trafalgar stations.

More information about the program is available at www.regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“Now that the Commonwealth has finally paid its debt to Victoria we are getting on with delivering what Gippslanders need – better rail infrastructure and more services to get them to their destinations.”

“The $530 million Gippsland Line Upgrade will deliver more frequent, reliable train services, and will create hundreds of new jobs for our region as the long-awaited works get underway.”